This legendary Broadway show started way off Broadway but was so full of of talent and good cheer it worked its way to Broadway where it won Tony Awards for best musical and supporting actress Nell Carter. Altogether, this show ran from May 1978 til February 1982. This NBC production is dated 1982 and features the incredible original cast.
First off, the music of Fats Waller that this show is built around is great. Some Waller tunes like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose" are among the all-time standards of American pop music.
Secondly the cast of five singers (who also dance, clown, and act up a storm) is just about perfection. Nell Carter emerged as a star after this show hit Broadway and went on to movies, TV, and more stage work. Here, her best moments include the touching "Mean to Me" and the sassy "Cash for Your Trash." Carter also won an Emmy for this TV production.
Andre De Shields is memorable in his "Reefer" and "Viper" medley and dances up a storm in "How Ya Baby." He also won an Emmy for this TV production.
Charlaine Woodard gets the spotlight in "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" and matches De Shields in dancing to "How Ya Baby." Ken Page has a lot of fun with "Your Feets Too Big" and also "Fat and Greasy." Armelia McQueen is tops with the novelty song "When the Nylons Bloom Again" and "Squeeze Me" and pairs nicely with De Shields on "Two Sleepy People." The entire cast works well in the sad "Black and Blue" which is arranged as a choral event. There's also a lively "re-enactment" of a Harlem party in "This Joint is Jumping." And everyone gets a moment in the incredibly lively "Handful of Keys" number.
There are many more golden moments here with 29 of Waller's songs (as composer or singer) featured.
Staged in front of an intimate dinner club setting, the 5 stars go through their paces with minimal staging or costumes. Luther Henderson sits at an upright piano a la Waller and is often the only accompaniment. But at a certain point the scenery goes up and we get a small on-stage jazz band.
This show is full of Black humor and sass and is loaded with talent. No gimmicks here. No huge chorus. No clutter to get in the way of the music.
A terrific evening of theatre.
First off, the music of Fats Waller that this show is built around is great. Some Waller tunes like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose" are among the all-time standards of American pop music.
Secondly the cast of five singers (who also dance, clown, and act up a storm) is just about perfection. Nell Carter emerged as a star after this show hit Broadway and went on to movies, TV, and more stage work. Here, her best moments include the touching "Mean to Me" and the sassy "Cash for Your Trash." Carter also won an Emmy for this TV production.
Andre De Shields is memorable in his "Reefer" and "Viper" medley and dances up a storm in "How Ya Baby." He also won an Emmy for this TV production.
Charlaine Woodard gets the spotlight in "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" and matches De Shields in dancing to "How Ya Baby." Ken Page has a lot of fun with "Your Feets Too Big" and also "Fat and Greasy." Armelia McQueen is tops with the novelty song "When the Nylons Bloom Again" and "Squeeze Me" and pairs nicely with De Shields on "Two Sleepy People." The entire cast works well in the sad "Black and Blue" which is arranged as a choral event. There's also a lively "re-enactment" of a Harlem party in "This Joint is Jumping." And everyone gets a moment in the incredibly lively "Handful of Keys" number.
There are many more golden moments here with 29 of Waller's songs (as composer or singer) featured.
Staged in front of an intimate dinner club setting, the 5 stars go through their paces with minimal staging or costumes. Luther Henderson sits at an upright piano a la Waller and is often the only accompaniment. But at a certain point the scenery goes up and we get a small on-stage jazz band.
This show is full of Black humor and sass and is loaded with talent. No gimmicks here. No huge chorus. No clutter to get in the way of the music.
A terrific evening of theatre.